User's Manual

Terminology

The following is a list of terminology that is used in this document.

Access Point – An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless

networks.

Ad Hoc – An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN adapters,

connected as an independent wireless LAN.

Backbone – The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that

transports information from one central location to another central location where it is

unloaded onto a local system.

Base Station – In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio

transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile radiotelephone sets

within its range. In cellular and personal communications applications, each cell or

micro-cell has its own base station; each base station in turn is interconnected with other

cells’ bases.

BSS – BSS stands for “Basic Service Set.” It is an Access Point and all the LAN PCs that

are associated with it.

CSMA/CA – Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.

ESS – ESS (ESS-ID, SSID) stands for “Extended Service Set.” More than one BSS is

configured to become an Extended Service Set. LAN mobile users can roam between

different BSSs in an ESS (ESS-ID, SSID).

Ethernet – A popular local area data communications network, which accepts

transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on a 10 Mbps baseband

transmission rate, using shielded coaxial cable or shielded twisted-pair telephone cable.

Fragmentation Threshold – In the 802.11 Standard, the MAC Layer may fragment and

reassemble directed MSDUs or MMPDUs. The fragmentation and defragmentation

mechanisms allow for fragment re-transmission.

Infrastructure – An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure

network.

Preamble Type – Some Access Points and Client card drivers have a radio setting for

“Short” RF Preamble. If all the Clients and Access points in your wireless network have

this feature, then enabling it can boost your throughput. However, if a radio does not

support this feature, then it will not be able to communicate with any other radios that

have this set to “Short.”

Roaming – A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a

continuous connection to the Infrastructure network.

RTS Threshold – Transmitters contending for the medium may not be aware of each

other. The RTS/CTS mechanism can solve this “Hidden Node Problem.” If the packet size

is smaller than the preset RTS Threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will NOT be

enabled.